Good Thinking! _ Falling 101

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

5

Overview

Falling 101 investigates why and how things fall, and explores common student misconceptions about gravity, inertia, and air resistance.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.7

Design and conduct a test to modify the speed of a falling object due to gravity (e.g., constructing a parachute to keep an attached object from breaking).*

UP:SC15.5.7

Vocabulary

  • gravity
  • design
  • conduct
  • gravitational force

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed downward towards the center of Earth.
  • How an engineering design process is used to design and conduct a test.
  • The properties (surface area, substance, weight) of different materials used to modify the speed of a falling object will affect the fall.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
  • Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design solution.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • A device added to a falling object can cause the speed to be modified.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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